Political Quotes

“Madam President, I would like to recognize Patrick Combs, of Hot Springs, AK, as this week's Arkansan of the Week, for teaching Arkansas students to share his love of music and pushing them to succeed in everything they do. Patrick just completed his fourth year as band director for the entire Fountain Lake School District. As the program's sole instructor, Patrick teaches instrumental music for all middle school and high school students and directs both the marching and symphonic bands. To put that in perspective, the Fountain Lake Middle School and High School have a combined student body of over 800 students. Patrick is remarkable not just for teaching so many students, although I know that is a feat in and of itself. Under his direction, the Fountain Lake music program has truly soared. Over the last 4 years the number of Fountain Lake students who earned a place in all-region bands more than doubled, and the number of students who won competitive tryouts in the Four States Honor Band and the Arkansas All-Star Band both more than tripled. As a group, the Fountain Lake band earned a first division ranking in concert assessment for all 4 years of Patrick's tenure. In 3 of his 4 years, the band also had the honor of being an Arkansas Sweepstakes band. Most recently, the Fountain Lake band was one of only two Arkansas bands selected to participate in this year's National Independence Day Festival on the Fourth of July here in Washington.…”